ADVICE FROM
A SUCCESSFUL RETIRED REALTOR.
If you’re thinking of selling your home, you might be wondering whether you really need to work with a real estate agent. After all, it’s tempting to avoid paying more than you have to, especially in this economy. However, real estate deals are complex and involve large amounts of money, and there are many good reasons to have an expert on your side. Here are some benefits of using a real estate agent:
Better deal: Working with an agent when selling your home is likely to land you a higher selling price and a more favorable deal. According to a 2021 report from the National Association of Realtors, the typical for sale by owner (FSBO) home sold for $260,000 compared to $318,000 for agent-assisted home sales.
Expertise: A real estate agent is a problem solver and logistics coordinator. They provide emotional support and ensure that the process runs smoothly. They help all the parties play nicely enough in the sandbox to guarantee that a sale ensues.
Marketing: A Realtor will be able to effectively market your home to potential buyers. This includes creating eye-catching listing descriptions, taking professional photos, and using the latest technology to market your home online.
Expanded search power: A great real estate agent will guide you through the home search with an unbiased eye, helping you meet your buying objectives while staying within your budget. Agents are also a great source when you have questions about local amenities, utilities, zoning rules, contractors, and more...........
While a Realtor isn’t strictly necessary when selling or buying your home, hiring one is usually well worth it. Your home is likely your most valuable asset, after all, and a professional agent helps you make the most of that investment when it comes time to sell or buy, ensuring that the transaction goes smoothly and providing valuable peace of mind.
Most people work with real estate agents because they’re:
Strong negotiators
Real estate experts
Connected to other local real estate professionals
These benefits of using an agent give you a big advantage whether you’re selling or buying a home.
Plus, the commission real estate agents charge is usually outweighed by the value they bring to your transaction.
Listing agents can generally help you sell for more money than you would otherwise get selling on your own, and buyer’s agents are paid from the proceeds of the sale, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Unless you have extensive real estate experience, you probably won’t know how to navigate the purchase or sale of your home.
It’s best to have a professional in your corner who can give you advice and deal with any problems that come up along the way.
If paying an agent’s full commission is your main concern......
20 Reasons Why You Should Use a Real Estate Agent:
KEY STATS FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.
87% of home buyers and 89% of sellers work with a real estate agent.
Home sellers who work without an agent sell their property for 5–7% less, on average.
76% of home buyers would use a real estate agent again or recommend one to others.
Most people work with real estate agents because they’re:
Strong negotiators
Real estate experts
Connected to other local real estate professionals
These benefits of using an agent give you a big advantage whether you’re selling or buying a home.
Plus, the commission real estate agents charge is usually outweighed by the value they bring to your transaction.
Listing agents can generally help you sell for more money than you would otherwise get selling on your own, and buyer’s agents are paid from the proceeds of the sale, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Unless you have extensive real estate experience, you probably won’t know how to navigate the purchase or sale of your home.
It’s best to have a professional in your corner who can give you advice and deal with any problems that come up along the way.
If paying an agent’s full commission is your main concern,
Top reasons to use a real estate agent:
Sellers and Buyers Listing agents know how to price houses.
There's no out-of-pocket cost Listing agents know what local buyers are looking for.
You'll find the right house faster.
Listing agents are pro marketers
You can get a professional second opinion Listing agents can list your home on the MLS.
Your offers will be more competitive.
Listing agents have a strong network of contacts.
You can connect with other real estate professionals.
You can usually sell for more money.
Buyer's agents have errors and omissions insurance
Reasons to use a real estate agent when you’re selling
Listing agents know how to price houses
Listing agents know what local buyers are looking for
Listing agents are pro marketers
Listing agents can list your home on the MLS
Listing agents have a strong network of contacts
You can usually sell for more money
Listing agents have errors and omissions insurance
A professional can handle the required paperwork
Listing agents know how to price houses.
Real estate agents use data and market knowledge to set a competitive listing price for your home — they don’t just guesstimate the best price.
Your listing agent will use a comparative market analysis (CMA) to see what similar houses in your neighborhood have sold for recently.
Unlike listing prices, sale prices reveal how much home buyers in your area are willing to pay.
You can access sale prices yourself using real estate websites like Zillow and Red fin and of course the finest Web Site of all.....MLS.
Agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service, so they can see the most recent sale prices in your neighborhood.
Your listing agent will also consider the unique features of your home when they do a comparative market analysis (renovations, upgrades, and so on) to account for other factors that may raise or lower the price.
By comparison, if you’re selling for sale by owner, your price might be way off because you don’t have access to the best information or expertise.
If you overprice your house, it won’t sell, but if you underprice it, you could leave thousands of dollars on the table.
AND........FURTHERMORE:
BUYING OR SELLING YOUR HOUSE? FROM A REALTOR THAT UNDERSTANDS THE EVOLUTION OF THE PRESENT INDUSTRY.
REALTORS® ARE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® AND SUBSCRIBE TO ITS STRICT CODE OF ETHICS. WHEN YOU'RE BUYING A HOME, HERE'S WHAT AN AGENT WHO'S A REALTOR® CAN DO FOR YOU.
...ACT AS AN EXPERT GUIDE. BUYING A HOME TYPICALLY REQUIRES A VARIETY OF FORMS, REPORTS, DISCLOSURES, AND OTHER LEGAL AND FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS. A KNOWLEDGEABLE REAL ESTATE AGENT WILL KNOW WHAT'S REQUIRED IN YOUR MARKET, HELPING YOU AVOID DELAYS AND COSTLY MISTAKES. ALSO, THERE’S A LOT OF JARGON INVOLVED IN A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION; YOU WANT TO WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL WHO CAN SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.
...OFFER OBJECTIVE INFORMATION AND OPINIONS. A GREAT REAL ESTATE AGENT WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE HOME SEARCH WITH AN UNBIASED EYE, HELPING YOU MEET YOUR BUYING OBJECTIVES WHILE STAYING WITHIN YOUR BUDGET. AGENTS ARE ALSO A GREAT SOURCE WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT LOCAL AMENITIES, UTILITIES, ZONING RULES, CONTRACTORS, AND MORE.
...GIVE YOU EXPANDED SEARCH POWER. YOU WANT ACCESS TO THE FULL RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES. USING A COOPERATIVE SYSTEM CALLED THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE, YOUR AGENT CAN HELP YOU EVALUATE ALL ACTIVE LISTINGS THAT MEET YOUR CRITERIA, ALERT YOU TO LISTINGS SOON TO COME ON THE MARKET, AND PROVIDE DATA ON RECENT SALES. YOUR AGENT CAN ALSO SAVE YOU TIME BY HELPING YOU WINNOW AWAY PROPERTIES THAT ARE STILL APPEARING ON PUBLIC SITES BUT ARE NO LONGER ON THE MARKET.
...STAND IN YOUR CORNER DURING NEGOTIATIONS. THERE ARE MANY FACTORS UP FOR DISCUSSION IN ANY REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION—FROM PRICE TO REPAIRS TO POSSESSION DATE. A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL WHO’S REPRESENTING YOU WILL LOOK AT THE TRANSACTION FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, HELPING YOU NEGOTIATE A PURCHASE AGREEMENT THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS AND ALLOWS YOU TO DO DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE YOU’RE BOUND TO THE PURCHASE.
...ENSURE AN UP-TO-DATE EXPERIENCE. MOST PEOPLE BUY ONLY A FEW HOMES IN A LIFETIME, USUALLY WITH QUITE A FEW YEARS BETWEEN PURCHASES. EVEN IF YOU’VE BOUGHT A HOME BEFORE, LAWS AND REGULATIONS CHANGE. REAL ESTATE PRACTITIONERS MAY HANDLE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF TRANSACTIONS OVER THE COURSE OF THEIR CAREER.
...BE YOUR ROCK DURING EMOTIONAL MOMENTS. A HOME IS SO MUCH MORE THAN FOUR WALLS AND A ROOF. AND FOR MOST BUYERS, A HOME IS THE BIGGEST PURCHASE THEY’LL EVER MAKE. HAVING A CONCERNED, BUT OBJECTIVE, THIRD PARTY HELPS YOU STAY FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU WHEN EMOTIONS THREATEN TO SINK AN OTHERWISE SOUND TRANSACTION.
...PROVIDE FAIR AND ETHICAL TREATMENT. WHEN YOU'RE INTERVIEWING AGENTS, ASK IF THEY'RE A REALTOR®, A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. EVERY MEMBER MUST ADHERE TO THE REALTOR® CODE OF ETHICS, WHICH IS BASED ON PROFESSIONALISM, SERVING THE INTERESTS OF CLIENTS, AND PROTECTING THE PUBLIC.
ANOTHER THING....HOUSE-BUYING COMPANIES HAVE ONE GOAL IN MIND: BUY CHEAP, FLIP FAST, SELL HIGH. THIS MEANS THAT THEY DON’T HAVE YOUR BEST INTERESTS IN MIND, AND SOMETIMES THIS CAN RESULT IN SCAMS OR BAD BUSINESS DEALS. AND IF THEY MAKE A PROFIT, IT IS AT YOUR EXPENSE.....ALL BECAUSE YOU HAVE RUN OUT OF IDEAS AND EXCELLENT INFORMATION. AND IF YOU DO HAVE YOUR OWN REALTOR, THOSE PROBLEMS ABOVE ARE NON-EXISTENT. BUYING OR SELLING A HOUSE, IS SOMETIMES A REAL BATTLE! HAVE A REAL WARRIOR AT YOUR SIDE.
LAST THOUGHTS.....It has begun, and a few Realtors are beginning to just understand. We are in the age of very high BANKRUPTCY'S, LOST JOBS AND HIGHER MORTGAGE RATES. So now, Homes are highly overvalued, with a minimum of 10% being the BENCHMARK, and as time goes by, it will be higher. So.....make sure to get your Realtor to start making offers for your preferred Home, with that in mind. Do not hurry, it is happening and will continue for the immediate future.
If you’re thinking of selling your home, you might be wondering whether you really need to work with a real estate agent. After all, it’s tempting to avoid paying more than you have to, especially in this economy. However, real estate deals are complex and involve large amounts of money, and there are many good reasons to have an expert on your side. Here are some benefits of using a real estate agent:
Better deal: Working with an agent when selling your home is likely to land you a higher selling price and a more favorable deal. According to a 2021 report from the National Association of Realtors, the typical for sale by owner (FSBO) home sold for $260,000 compared to $318,000 for agent-assisted home sales.
Expertise: A real estate agent is a problem solver and logistics coordinator. They provide emotional support and ensure that the process runs smoothly. They help all the parties play nicely enough in the sandbox to guarantee that a sale ensues.
Marketing: A Realtor will be able to effectively market your home to potential buyers. This includes creating eye-catching listing descriptions, taking professional photos, and using the latest technology to market your home online.
Expanded search power: A great real estate agent will guide you through the home search with an unbiased eye, helping you meet your buying objectives while staying within your budget. Agents are also a great source when you have questions about local amenities, utilities, zoning rules, contractors, and more...........
While a Realtor isn’t strictly necessary when selling or buying your home, hiring one is usually well worth it. Your home is likely your most valuable asset, after all, and a professional agent helps you make the most of that investment when it comes time to sell or buy, ensuring that the transaction goes smoothly and providing valuable peace of mind.
Most people work with real estate agents because they’re:
Strong negotiators
Real estate experts
Connected to other local real estate professionals
These benefits of using an agent give you a big advantage whether you’re selling or buying a home.
Plus, the commission real estate agents charge is usually outweighed by the value they bring to your transaction.
Listing agents can generally help you sell for more money than you would otherwise get selling on your own, and buyer’s agents are paid from the proceeds of the sale, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Unless you have extensive real estate experience, you probably won’t know how to navigate the purchase or sale of your home.
It’s best to have a professional in your corner who can give you advice and deal with any problems that come up along the way.
If paying an agent’s full commission is your main concern......
20 Reasons Why You Should Use a Real Estate Agent:
KEY STATS FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.
87% of home buyers and 89% of sellers work with a real estate agent.
Home sellers who work without an agent sell their property for 5–7% less, on average.
76% of home buyers would use a real estate agent again or recommend one to others.
Most people work with real estate agents because they’re:
Strong negotiators
Real estate experts
Connected to other local real estate professionals
These benefits of using an agent give you a big advantage whether you’re selling or buying a home.
Plus, the commission real estate agents charge is usually outweighed by the value they bring to your transaction.
Listing agents can generally help you sell for more money than you would otherwise get selling on your own, and buyer’s agents are paid from the proceeds of the sale, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Unless you have extensive real estate experience, you probably won’t know how to navigate the purchase or sale of your home.
It’s best to have a professional in your corner who can give you advice and deal with any problems that come up along the way.
If paying an agent’s full commission is your main concern,
Top reasons to use a real estate agent:
Sellers and Buyers Listing agents know how to price houses.
There's no out-of-pocket cost Listing agents know what local buyers are looking for.
You'll find the right house faster.
Listing agents are pro marketers
You can get a professional second opinion Listing agents can list your home on the MLS.
Your offers will be more competitive.
Listing agents have a strong network of contacts.
You can connect with other real estate professionals.
You can usually sell for more money.
Buyer's agents have errors and omissions insurance
Reasons to use a real estate agent when you’re selling
Listing agents know how to price houses
Listing agents know what local buyers are looking for
Listing agents are pro marketers
Listing agents can list your home on the MLS
Listing agents have a strong network of contacts
You can usually sell for more money
Listing agents have errors and omissions insurance
A professional can handle the required paperwork
Listing agents know how to price houses.
Real estate agents use data and market knowledge to set a competitive listing price for your home — they don’t just guesstimate the best price.
Your listing agent will use a comparative market analysis (CMA) to see what similar houses in your neighborhood have sold for recently.
Unlike listing prices, sale prices reveal how much home buyers in your area are willing to pay.
You can access sale prices yourself using real estate websites like Zillow and Red fin and of course the finest Web Site of all.....MLS.
Agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service, so they can see the most recent sale prices in your neighborhood.
Your listing agent will also consider the unique features of your home when they do a comparative market analysis (renovations, upgrades, and so on) to account for other factors that may raise or lower the price.
By comparison, if you’re selling for sale by owner, your price might be way off because you don’t have access to the best information or expertise.
If you overprice your house, it won’t sell, but if you underprice it, you could leave thousands of dollars on the table.
AND........FURTHERMORE:
BUYING OR SELLING YOUR HOUSE? FROM A REALTOR THAT UNDERSTANDS THE EVOLUTION OF THE PRESENT INDUSTRY.
REALTORS® ARE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® AND SUBSCRIBE TO ITS STRICT CODE OF ETHICS. WHEN YOU'RE BUYING A HOME, HERE'S WHAT AN AGENT WHO'S A REALTOR® CAN DO FOR YOU.
...ACT AS AN EXPERT GUIDE. BUYING A HOME TYPICALLY REQUIRES A VARIETY OF FORMS, REPORTS, DISCLOSURES, AND OTHER LEGAL AND FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS. A KNOWLEDGEABLE REAL ESTATE AGENT WILL KNOW WHAT'S REQUIRED IN YOUR MARKET, HELPING YOU AVOID DELAYS AND COSTLY MISTAKES. ALSO, THERE’S A LOT OF JARGON INVOLVED IN A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION; YOU WANT TO WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL WHO CAN SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.
...OFFER OBJECTIVE INFORMATION AND OPINIONS. A GREAT REAL ESTATE AGENT WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE HOME SEARCH WITH AN UNBIASED EYE, HELPING YOU MEET YOUR BUYING OBJECTIVES WHILE STAYING WITHIN YOUR BUDGET. AGENTS ARE ALSO A GREAT SOURCE WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT LOCAL AMENITIES, UTILITIES, ZONING RULES, CONTRACTORS, AND MORE.
...GIVE YOU EXPANDED SEARCH POWER. YOU WANT ACCESS TO THE FULL RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES. USING A COOPERATIVE SYSTEM CALLED THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE, YOUR AGENT CAN HELP YOU EVALUATE ALL ACTIVE LISTINGS THAT MEET YOUR CRITERIA, ALERT YOU TO LISTINGS SOON TO COME ON THE MARKET, AND PROVIDE DATA ON RECENT SALES. YOUR AGENT CAN ALSO SAVE YOU TIME BY HELPING YOU WINNOW AWAY PROPERTIES THAT ARE STILL APPEARING ON PUBLIC SITES BUT ARE NO LONGER ON THE MARKET.
...STAND IN YOUR CORNER DURING NEGOTIATIONS. THERE ARE MANY FACTORS UP FOR DISCUSSION IN ANY REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION—FROM PRICE TO REPAIRS TO POSSESSION DATE. A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL WHO’S REPRESENTING YOU WILL LOOK AT THE TRANSACTION FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, HELPING YOU NEGOTIATE A PURCHASE AGREEMENT THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS AND ALLOWS YOU TO DO DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE YOU’RE BOUND TO THE PURCHASE.
...ENSURE AN UP-TO-DATE EXPERIENCE. MOST PEOPLE BUY ONLY A FEW HOMES IN A LIFETIME, USUALLY WITH QUITE A FEW YEARS BETWEEN PURCHASES. EVEN IF YOU’VE BOUGHT A HOME BEFORE, LAWS AND REGULATIONS CHANGE. REAL ESTATE PRACTITIONERS MAY HANDLE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF TRANSACTIONS OVER THE COURSE OF THEIR CAREER.
...BE YOUR ROCK DURING EMOTIONAL MOMENTS. A HOME IS SO MUCH MORE THAN FOUR WALLS AND A ROOF. AND FOR MOST BUYERS, A HOME IS THE BIGGEST PURCHASE THEY’LL EVER MAKE. HAVING A CONCERNED, BUT OBJECTIVE, THIRD PARTY HELPS YOU STAY FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU WHEN EMOTIONS THREATEN TO SINK AN OTHERWISE SOUND TRANSACTION.
...PROVIDE FAIR AND ETHICAL TREATMENT. WHEN YOU'RE INTERVIEWING AGENTS, ASK IF THEY'RE A REALTOR®, A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. EVERY MEMBER MUST ADHERE TO THE REALTOR® CODE OF ETHICS, WHICH IS BASED ON PROFESSIONALISM, SERVING THE INTERESTS OF CLIENTS, AND PROTECTING THE PUBLIC.
ANOTHER THING....HOUSE-BUYING COMPANIES HAVE ONE GOAL IN MIND: BUY CHEAP, FLIP FAST, SELL HIGH. THIS MEANS THAT THEY DON’T HAVE YOUR BEST INTERESTS IN MIND, AND SOMETIMES THIS CAN RESULT IN SCAMS OR BAD BUSINESS DEALS. AND IF THEY MAKE A PROFIT, IT IS AT YOUR EXPENSE.....ALL BECAUSE YOU HAVE RUN OUT OF IDEAS AND EXCELLENT INFORMATION. AND IF YOU DO HAVE YOUR OWN REALTOR, THOSE PROBLEMS ABOVE ARE NON-EXISTENT. BUYING OR SELLING A HOUSE, IS SOMETIMES A REAL BATTLE! HAVE A REAL WARRIOR AT YOUR SIDE.
LAST THOUGHTS.....It has begun, and a few Realtors are beginning to just understand. We are in the age of very high BANKRUPTCY'S, LOST JOBS AND HIGHER MORTGAGE RATES. So now, Homes are highly overvalued, with a minimum of 10% being the BENCHMARK, and as time goes by, it will be higher. So.....make sure to get your Realtor to start making offers for your preferred Home, with that in mind. Do not hurry, it is happening and will continue for the immediate future.